Henry David Thoreau
I had originally planned on talking about the high cost of publishing a book these days if you are an indie writer. Make no mistake about it, self-publishing can be pricey. Pay for an editor, pay for a cover artist, pay for some advertising…..and suddenly your bank account looks a bit depleted.

But I changed my mind once I read the quote above. Leave it to Thoreau to bring a little reality my way.

Read his words. How much of your life is spent in writing a book? That is the true cost of that book. Sure, it may sell online for $4.99, and it may cost you $500 or more to get it ready for online publishing, but the true cost is measured in the months it took to write it, and the countless other hours spent thinking and planning.

Looked at in those terms, the cost of my new novel cannot be calculated. It represents a major investment of time and effort. In that same spirit, the return on that investment is also priceless. A book is part of you. It is your blood, sweat and tears all rolled up into one, and if you have written a book you should be damned proud.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Whether your book sells well or not is no measure of success. The true success, in writing a book, is in completing your task. Only those who have tried will understand that statement.

WRITER OF THE DAY

Say hello to Dr. Bill, and you can find him on HubPages here. He has a series of wonderful articles called “Weston Wagons West,” a historical fiction that will one day be a dandy novel. I strongly recommend this fine writer.

PROMPT OF THE DAY

See it….feel it….write about it. Demand that your writing muse do her job.

SITE OF THE DAY

Pubslush is one of the new crowdfunding sites that many indie writers are turning to for financing of their writing projects. Check them out here. You just might find some money available to you.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

My good friend Sha made her first video and I wanted to share it with you. Way to go, Sha! For those of you who have never made a video, they do make a nice addition to any article….just sayin’

CATCH YOU DOWN THE ROAD

Much to do this week. The final edit continues on my novel, “Resurrecting Tobias,” so I need to get busy. Hopefully I’ll find the time to post another blog before the week is finished. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to stop by here.

Like this:

Related

20 Responses to “How Much is Your Writing Worth?”

Happy to see you here today and know you have indeed been busy editing. I have been taking Tuesdays off from my blog and using it as a day to share on my J9 Designs site. So, I am with you on this and then some. Hoping you are enjoying your Tuesday so far 🙂

I decided to use one of the two videos I made in my next blog post (thanx to your suggestion), which I will start working on today. Before I do that, I’m going to make another video of the native plants in my yard, which will tie in nicely with the theme of my upcoming post.

I usually have to take Tuesdays off from being in the recording studio because the landscapers are here in the community all day… making noise. That makes Tuesdays my writing day. Well, Bill as usual, your timing is perfect. I’m working on a novel and a “How-To” book at the same time. I’ve finally finished the How To book and setting it aside to allow my brain to refresh before tackling the editing and formatting process. This morning I was looking into self-publishing companies and one of the questions I was contemplating was how much I was willing to pay for this and that. Thank you for the crowdfunding link. I never imagined there was such a resource available.

$500.00??? if that’s all it cost – you done goooood! Or..maybe you just had a lot more in place previously..
In any case you’re right – it’s the HOURS we put into the book that mean everything – our life – our hearts – our blood, swear and tears!
I haven’t written a word in WEEKS – unless you count short bios, long bios, market analysis’, competition anlysis, industry analysis, synopsis’ and OH YES – query letters..
Time for a nappy poo…LOL..
Best of luck to you Bill – not that you’ll need it!

Sis, I need all the luck in the world. Self-publishing is a crapshoot at best, and the House has all the odds. If I had my druthers, it would be 1960 and I’d take my chances with the old-style publishing game.

Sounds like it’s been a busy week your side too! No matter how much you tell yourself that what you’re doing is success, it’s quite another to read someone else writing it. Thank you Bill! I think this is something MOST writers struggle with and it’s hard. Depressing. Demotivating. Got to keep this in mind. The hits, the sales, the likes…. that’s all fluff, you’re right – it’s the blood, sweat, and tears poured into your passion or project of choice that determines your success. Well said!! Have a great day my friend 🙂

I agree with your wise words, Bill.
Gotta make a budget when it comes to publishing cause dunno how things could turn. Thus, had a minimum budget for my first one, and although I could not market it well. I am glad that who ever few read it, do believe in the message that I could send across.

It’s the message when got across makes worth all the sweat paid for (at least for me, at this junction of time)